I knew this was going to happen- I disappear from the scene for 2 months, and Erin's the one that looks like she brought a parasite back from South America! No really, you're beautiful. A beautiful host.

While in Chiclayo, I spent a significant amount of time with two little Peruvian baba's named Romina and Nathaly, aged 4 and 1. I was the early riser in the house, so for the first few hours of the morning I read them stories, soothed sadness, and invented songs with them about Peruvian nationalism (we're not gonna help Ecuador! We're not gonna help Bolivia! Our pistolas keep the Spaniards at a distance!) Romina was a lyrical genius.

I became accustomed to the tedium, the hilarity, and the miraculous interplay between adult and child, and a lot of these morning games reminded me of when Ted and I were doing this with Sally and Mary Grace. It was a sweet reminder of domesticity, correcting pronunciation and teaching manners. In so many words, I covet you this experience, and was reminded of your joy by two little patriots.